Posts Tagged ‘Rashid Aidun’

SUNY Canton has designed a new associate degree to allow students greater flexibility in their technology-based education.

“The General Technology degree program allows students to design an individualized program of study in order to fulfill a unique career goal,” said Canino School of Engineering Technology Dean David J. Wells. “The program allows students to get the background necessary to establish a career and tailor their education to their specific interests.”

Nick A. Stacey of Massena performs tests in the Electrical Engineering Technology Lab. Students in SUNY Canton's new General Technology program can pick their own technology courses and receive an associate degree.

The dean mentioned that students can seamlessly transfer into any one of the college’s four-year engineering technology based programs after completing the General Technology degree, including Alternative and Renewable Energy Systems, Industrial Technology Management, and Information Technology. The program also provides another link between the College’s one-year certificate programs and associate degrees. Additionally, students in the new program could also progress into one of three new pending bachelor’s degree programs that are awaiting state approval: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, and Mechanical Engineering Technology.

“We’ve even seen a lot of our career-driven students enroll in cross curricular studies,” Wells said. “A student who starts in the engineering technology fields may opt to transfer into one of the business programs, creating their own unique, well-rounded entrepreneurial education.”

The College received letters of support for the creation of this degree from Schneider Packaging Equipment Co., Inc., in Brewerton, and Ansen Corporation, extolling the value of well-rounded graduates of the program.

“I have been actively recruiting at SUNY Canton for over thirteen years,” said John Sylvester, Field Service Manager at Schneider Packaging and a 1983 SUNY Canton graduate. “The General Technology program is precisely the type of well rounded education and training required to be successful in our industry. I personally intend to continue to recruit candidates from SUNY Canton for the foreseeable future.”

According to General Technology Program Advisor and Associate Professor Rashid Aidun, Ph.D., the first two semesters of the program consist of core-level courses, including physics, computer drafting, programming, English and several elective options. The final two semesters are comprised almost completely of engineering technology electives. Students can enroll in any of the courses available in Automotive Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Civil Engineering Technology, Air Conditioning Engineering Technology, and Electrical Engineering Technology, among others.

Both the State University of New York and the New York State Education Department recently approved this program. New and transfer students can apply now for entrance into the program, which will begin in Fall 2010. To apply, contact the SUNY Canton Admissions office at 315.386.7123, or email admissions@canton.edu.